Throughout our history, generation after generation of Canadians have faced up to the tremendous challenges of their times. From the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the introduction of Medicare, we have not been afraid to take the big steps necessary to achieve our policy goals. As we drift into the 21st century, however, Canada has remained at a relative standstill in the face of what will surely be the defining issue of our generation: global climate change. In our neglect to take any serious action on climate change, we are not only setting ourselves down a potentially catastrophic path, but are missing an enormous opportunity to transform the foundation of our economy to meet this century’s needs. Canada can become a renewable energy powerhouse with the right investments and political will, but it remains to be seen if we will seize this opportunity.

As it stands right now, we’re falling behind. Countries around the globe are taking big steps toward transforming their energy systems, creating thousands of jobs and transitioning to a modern, low-carbon economy. In the past six years, world-wide clean energy investment has grown by 230 percent, with $162 billion invested in renewables in 2009 alone. Read the rest of this entry »